AND…
Your nervous system becomes part of an environment other people are navigating.
At every moment, your mind-brain-body system is taking in and sending out information within the world around you.
A shift in voice...
(causes vibrations that physiologically change the listener’s internal state… this also includes typing)
A facial expression...
(tiny micro-movements of muscles get processed as threat or safety cues)
The pace of a conversation (including on-screens)..
…whether there is space to speak, disagree, pause, ask a question, change direction..
(pauses (or lack of), speed, breathing rhythms imprint onto other nervous systems as a cue of spaciousness, urgency, reactivity, curiosity.. )
All of these subtle vibrations can help us open to our own intelligence -
or.. subtly lead us to start questioning, defending, protecting and doubting ourselves..
We are transmitting and receiving these signals at all times, whether we are conscious of it or not.
We might feel a tightening in our body, our breathing.. or our attention shifting. Or we might feel an urge to pull away, speak up or become quiet.
These signals aren't necessarily “the truth” about what is happening.
But they can be data our nervous system gathers to try to navigate and understand each context and relationship we’re a part of.
We are not standing inside our own system and staying there.
And we’re not standing outside these systems observing them.
We are transmitters and receivers within a vibrational, collective field.
The way we listen, orient, pause, type, react, and speak becomes a vibrational contribution to other nervous systems in this collective field.
Your nervous system helps YOU navigate an environment.
AND… Your nervous system becomes part of an environment other people are navigating.
Nervous System Literacy and Leadership goes beyond..
What am I feeling right now?
to also include:
What am I being influenced by?
And.. what am I contributing to?
A reflection question we could try this week:
How can I spark a moment of intention before I speak, enter the room, click the ‘send’ button..
And honestly reflect on how my nervous system state and intentions are:
- being influenced by, and
- are contributing to this collective field…
If you’d like to read more about this, check out my my NY Weekly article here" The Future of Leadership is Embodied Systems Thinking
Stefanie Faye
Stefanie Faye
Leader @ MIT Human Agency Studio, Global Humanities Initiative
Founder of Teach the Nervous System and the Super Regulators Academy*
Human Systems Resilience & Intelligence Specialist
Neuro-Consulting + Brain Mapping for Enhanced Learning & Performance
Applied Neuroscience Training for Coaches, Leaders and Helping Professionals - learn more here
